Route Climbed: Normal from Aspen Grove Date Climbed: several times during the 1950s

At the mid-twentieth century, Mount Timpanogos hike was a great adventure for members of the Mormon Mutual Improvement Association and the Boy Scouts. It was an overnight hike and accomplished with the aid of flashlights and an added incentive to show off to the girls. I once tried to climb Timpie in mid-winter from Provo Canyon. Ronald Davis and I spent a night in a mountain tent at around the ten thousand foot level. A snow storm foiled the attempt when Davis refused to get out of his sleeping bag. The last time I hiked up Timpie was in 1956. I had just been separated from the army after a year stationed in France. During this period I went to Zermatt and climbed the Matterhorn. In my youth Timpanogos was thought to be the highest peak in the Wasatch at 12008 feet above sea level. You can imagine my disillusionment when I recently learned that Timpie had lost 258 feet of altitude and that Mount Nebo, a nondescript peak further south, was the monarch of the Wasatch.

Like Joe said, we redeemed ourselves for the sad failure from 2 weeks ago. Suprisingly we weren't the only ones up there! Two other climbers headed up the ridge that day. We also found tracks heading towards Glacier Notch and some ski tracks heading down the western slopes (partly destroyed by a more recent point slide). Both of these summitters had been there since the previous weekend since the snow received then would have covered their tracks.

• 02/05/05 - via Everest Ridge. Redemption for a very dissapointing failed attempt two weeks prior. Left trailhead at 1:45am and summited right at sunrise. Bitter cold wind made for a short summit stay.

• 06/12/03 - via Aspen Grove. Climbed on a gloomy gray thursday in early June to avoid crowds - it worked, since we only saw 3 others summit after us. Ascended and descended the 'glacier'.

I made it to the 'step' and reached the top of the cliffs, but due to lack of a safety line or second ice axe, I decided not to push my luck that day, although now I'm more determined to go back and finish the route!

This had to be one of the most physically exhausting routes we've taken on Timpanogos. The ridge is very stable, but very steep. The last 600 vertical feet are sketchy with large cliffs and loose rock. This section would be much easier with snow, ice, axes, and crampons. Easily the best views of any route up Timp--most rewarding route.

All my life I had heard my dad go on and on about this mountain. When I finally climbed it with great expectations, I learned that all he said was still not enough to describe it. I was blown away everywhere I looked. The multiple peaks and cirques, the view of the northern Wasatch, Provo and Utah Lake 7,000 ft. below, the outrageously rugged west slopes, I could go on and on. The Arnica, Paintbrush and Lupine in the flats near Emerald Lake looked like someone spilled billions of gallons of yellow, red and blue paint. I've always wanted to return to this mountain.

Route Climbed: Up From Aspen Grove, Down Timpooneke Date Climbed: 25 September 2004

Started about 2:00am at Aspen Grove, reached the saddle just before sunrise, beautiful views. There was some snow from storms the week previous, not too bad, except for the member of our group that chose to hike in running shoes; it was up to a foot and a half in spots. Quite windy. Enjoyed a summit breakfast and headed down the Timpooneke trail. Got to the Trailhead in American Fork canyon at about 12:30, drove home, and quickly found ibuprofren.

Made this hike more difficult that it is by bringing my 11 week old puppy. Had to pack her a few times, making a slow go at things, but other than that she did great. Hiked at night, hit the saddle in time for a bacon and egg breakfast (should have charged). Mass of mountain goats came down to spy. Pups made it to the top and crashed for an hour. Beautiful view of several different valleys from the top. Slid down glacier for a quicker jaunt back to the car.

This was a fun hike and the scenery was incredible! The approach was very scenic and there were numerous meadows and wild flowers. After reaching the summit we decided to descend via the snow field on the North side. While glissading down I scraped all of the skin off of one of my elbows..OUCH! When we reached the lake there was a teenage girl that lost half of her ass doing the same thing in short shorts..BIGGER OUCH!

9/1/10- Started at 10:45 PM from Timpanooke and ran most of the way up. Reached the summit in 2:15 and it was so COLD on top. Ran most of the way down, but I couldn't see very well, so I was slow. total time 4:20. Home and in bed before 4:00 AM and made it to work on time. So fun!

9/20/10- 3:00 AM start. Didn't pass another person on the way up (a first). Had the summit to ourselves at 5:00 AM. It was windy and cold on top. 1:45 on the descent.

6/29/12- With Jun32 and Matt. 2:08 up and 3:40 round trip

7/21/12- With Jun32 from Timpanookee. 2:02 up and 3:15 car to car.

9/29/12- With my friend Rob from Timpanookee. 2:04 to the summit on a perfect day.

7/3/13- With Jun32 and a group several others. This was done in the dark, so not super fast, but had a blast. 2:12 to the top.

8/23/13- With Jennilyn. Going for multiple ascents. Summit #1 was enjoyable, but it started to rain on us pretty hard a mile from the trailhead. 3:40 round trip. Took a break and went back up for #2. Got to the saddle and a storm was moving in, so we ran hard to the summit. Up in 2:15. Ran hard all the way back down to the upper basin and it rained most of the way. We wore ponchos the entire second lap. J-Lynn went for #3, but got weathered off at the saddle. We'll be back.

This is the crown jewel of the Wasatch. Too bad it gets so much traffic. Been on top many times. My favorite route is a big loop starting at Timpanooke TH parking lot but not going up the Timpanooke Trail. Instead, go up the jeep road past the campgrounds for 45 minutes, climb into Julie Andrews Meadow, go up the ridge North of Wooly Hole to North Peak (where there is a summit register) and follow the summit ridge South to the summit, come down the "glacier", pass the Emerald Lake shelter and descend Timpanooke trail back to the car.

Wonderful and cool summer day, hiking up from Aspen Grove. My hiking buddy took a nap at the shelter and waited untill I returned from the peak. We continued hiking to Timpooneke where we had a shuttle car.